Another great round down. This round was better than the first, I've been spinning this playlist for the past few days and I've been thoroughly enjoying it. There are a lot of 4's this round so I might have to become a little more critical with future rounds. Everyone qualified for the bonus point this round although Cyril gave me a lot to think about on what "acoustic" means to me
.
Round 2 Results:Vmader00
Coheed and Cambria - "Ghost"
I fucking love this song. Every time I listened to this song (which has to be over 20 times at this point) it just kept getting better. I love the unique structure of verse + verse followed by chorus. It's all layered beautifully over the stripped down rhythm guitar track that sets the foundation for the song and never overstays it's welcome. Every time I listen to this song it sticks in my head for hours after. Another awesome pick!
5 + 1Sacul
Johnny Cash - "Hurt"
I've heard this song before, I loved it when it first came out but I haven't given it a full listen in years. I still enjoy it as much as I did back then and it feels just as impactful. I've always felt that this song has a deeper meaning with Johnny Cash singing it. Rick Ruben alludes to the same in his podcast when he talks about working on this track. It's an emotional piece of music that pulls off the rare trick of being better than the original.
4.5 + 1 Lonestar
Destrage - "Where Things Have No Colour"
I was going to surprised if anyone has even heard of Dark New Day but if you listen to their Black Porch Sessions I think it'd make sense as to why I compared the two. As for the critique of the song itself I think it's on of my favorites of this round that I've been spinning pretty constantly. The immediate hook are the down-tuned guitar melodies, I immediately grabbed my guitar and started trying to figure it out. The song has it's hooks in me and I'd love to check out more of their acoustic stuff if it's around.
4.5 + 1senecadawg2
Julien Baker - "Everybody Does"
The spotlight is clearly on Julien's voice in this song. The melody is simple and sets the stage for Julien to deliver this emotional vocal performance on top. It's a song that's easy to get lost in. I've gotten distracted twice while putting together this write-up while having the song play in the background. I will waste no time digging more into her music.
4.5 + 1Tomislav95
Anneke Van Giersbergen - "Losing You"
I've seen Anneke's name get thrown around on the forum but I can't remember if she was a part of a band or is a solo act. Anyway, I'm glad I got to finally hear her in this context, her voice is fantastic and this song highlights it well. I think if I could change anything I would've had just her and the guitar perform the song. While there is nothing wrong with the bands performance I think I preferred the guitar/vox arrangement that is introduced in the beginning.
4 + 1TAC
Vinnie Moore - "Last Road Home'"
This song reminded me of the music I'd hear at my ex's when I lived in Miami briefly. Hearing this song a couple times I randomly clicked through some of Vinnie's other music to see what it's like and I was a little surprised to find his more shreddy metal stuff on there. It's surprising because typically when solo electric guitar instrumentalist take a stab and doing some more flamenco/django/spanish style guitar it comes off as them shredding on an acoustic guitar (looking at you Paul Gilbert) without actually capturing the style they aim for. This song has strong Govi/Gypsy Kings vibes, it's easy to digest and memorable and brings me back to a time of my life that feels like decades ago.
4 + 1Puppies_On_Acid
Marillion - "The Space..."
Thanks to DT I'm familiar with one Marillion song, "Easter". There is an interesting tonal change in this after the first third. It takes on what I'd describe as more jazzy feel. The song is composed well and has a really full bass tone that I fell for. Marillion is 2 for 2 and I hope when I explore them more I'll find more great music like this to enjoy.
4 + 1Elite
Elliott Smith - "Between The Bars"
Hey it's Dave Manchester's avatar! I'm not familiar with Elliott Smith music with the exception of Independence Day which popped up on my Spotify Discovery a while back. Much like the Marillion submission this another artist who I have to explore deeper. The song feels like it just flowed out of Elliott sounding as if it's been effortlessly composed. The formula of simple guitar melody with delicate vocals make a good combination that can be tough to pull off. My only complaint is that this song should've been a tad bit longer.
4 + 1Kingshmegland
Spock's Beard - "Distance To The Sun"
I was surprised I liked this song as much as I did. I've been hesitant to check out Spock's Beard because I know Neal Morse did some time in the band and truthfully I'm not a big fan of Neal. However with that preconceived notion I walked away as a big fan of this song! The harmonies are beautiful and bring a proggy element to the song which makes it really shine this round. The ending of this song is magical and makes me want to sing along to it. With this track and Neals last album
Innocence & Danger I feel like I was too quick to judge and will have to explore his music more.
4 + 1Luoto
Von Hertzen Brothers - "The Promise"
This song feels like it could've been ripped out of the soundtrack to Game of Thrones, to my ears it fits the visual aesthetic of the show. This song builds masterfully from the start and leads into a nice climax near the end. It's so subtle that it isn't until you listen to it again that you notice that the is starts off more stripped down than how it ends. Few songs pull that trick off as well as this one. The Promise doesn't break it's promise of being a good song (see what I did there?)
4 + 1wolfking
Bruce Dickinson - "Arc Of Space"
This song came really close to getting the "that voice…" first impression. Bruce's voice cuts through the track and hits you like a brick wall. It's a great performance that suits the song is never over the top or self-indulgent. It grabs you and holds you throughout with a nice little solo break near the middle of the track.
4 + 1jingle.boy
Headspace - "Soldier"
Silly as it sounds it's the tolling of the bell here that gives the song it's grand sense of scale. This song had some of my favorite lyrics of this round and they work perfectly in the context of the music. Often times when I check out new music I'll hear elements I like mixed in with elements I don't. Soldier is not one of those songs, it's well done and it doesn't leave thinking "I wish there was more of this" or "I wish there was less of that". A little off topic but I get hints of Klaus Meine in the guys vocal performance.
4 + 1Deadeye21
Cael McLeish - "If I Were Good Enough..."
First of all big props for sending an original song, you're a braver man than I. This song captures the acoustic theme of the round perfect. I love the way this song builds and releases tension throughout, it feels like a passionate performance in a café. I think the only thing keeping me from rating this song higher is the vibrato on the vocals. The timbre of the vocals is good but I feel at points the vibrato goes a little crazy. Good song!
3.5 + 1Stadler
REM - "Swan Swan H"
I've never been a big fan of REM, they have some bangers but Michael Stipe's voice can get old quick not the case here. There is a sea shanty quality and vibe to the song, especially when the organ gets introduced. I've been digging this song since you sent it. This is one of those tracks that rewards you on repeat listens
3.5 + 1HOF
Prefab Sprout - "Bonny"
This song is sweet, maybe a little too sweet (although from what I gather from the lyrics it's not the most upbeat topic). I think the biggest thing that turned me off from this song was the harmonica coupled with the upper register guitar playing that gets a little tiring to listen to. A tonal change or release would've really helped IMO.
2 + 1Cyril
Wreche - "the Darkling Thrush"
I didn't really know what to make of this song when I first heard it. It initially got a much lower score but as I've listened to the song more it started to grow on me. My biggest complaint and the biggest reason it didn't get a higher score is that it goes on way too long. If it was edited down to maybe half it's length I could see thing song getting a 3 instead of a 2. That said it's impressive it keeps the energy up as long as it does but like Cialis it feels like it's 4 hours long and it's time it gets checked out by a doctor.
1.5Scores so far:Vmader00 - 10.5Kingshmegland - 9.5senecadawg2 - 9.5Tomislav95 - 9Elite - 9jingle.boy - 9Lonestar - 9Deadeye21 - 8TAC - 8Luoto - 8wolfking - 8Stadler - 7.5Sacul - 7.5Puppies_On_Acid - 6.5Cyril - 5.5HOF - 5.5
Topic: ReaperKK's Roulette v. It's been 10 long years....jingle.boy jingle.won!!!!! (Read 55074 times)